Shaman Names

This page was started in order to write down some of the cultural names for shamanic or native healers. Hopefully it will serve as a good starting point for your explorations of this topic. Please use the comments section of this page to share what you know as well.

So keeping relate issues in mind, use this list as a starting point in your exploration of spiritual healers within culture. You will also find there are certain meanings behind the names that are cultures often apply to their shamanic healers, such as words that mean “the dreamer”, “the traveler”, or “of the spirits.”

You may also find that some terms for healer were interpreted and defined as negative by formal religions in more recent times and may have been a positive name for healer in earlier societies.

These are in no particular order as they were added as they were found or contributed. Some have links to sites which talk about that form of Shamanism:

Angakok – Inuit Shaman, I saw this referenced on a paper at Brandon University in Canada.Fugara – The Bedouin form of ShamanismBaksylyk – I saw a reference to a paper by Patrick Garrone called “Baksylyk: a Muslim Declination of Shamanism” (in ISIM NEWSLETTER, December 1999 (No.4)Sahir-þairls – Shamans in Turkey the other words I saw in connection with this were Kyrgyz Kazakh baksýs, baksý, kam, ozan, Oguz, ozansKopuz – a musical instrument, somehow connected with shamanism

Mudang – Korean Shaman, most Korean Shamans are womenNae-Rim-Kut – Korean Shamanic InitiationHuna – Form of shamanism, inspired by Hawaiian.Babalawo – shamans of the Yoruba people of Nigeria, West Africa meaning “Father of the Mysteries” or “Father of the Spirits” supplied by student of Babalawo/Shaman.Wulla-mullung – Wiradjuri Tribe- Southeast Australia it seems that is the name their Shamans are called, and their helping spirits are called Budian.

Dukun – Shaman of IndonesiaBomoh – Malay ShamanVoelva/Volva/Vala/Seidhkona – Female Shaman of Norse MythologySeidhr – A shamanic ritual or staff in the Norse tradition. Male shamans of Norse tradition are sometimes referred to as Seidhr men.Baal Shem – Translates in Hebrew as “Master of the Name” possibly a Jewish Shaman

Wakan Tanka – Term for Spirit that Resides in Everything in LakotaSheripiari – term of the Campa of eastern PerúZnakharka – term for female shaman in the Ukraine, supplied by a Ukraine shaman.Tang-ki – the Chinese name for a shaman (also fu-chi which seems to relate to a mediumship involving writing.)

P’aqo – The Andean word for shaman — it’s a Quecha word for shaman but they are mystics too (submitted to Shaman Links by one of our readers)Mambo – One of our readers found that this “is the name for a high priestess in the voodoo tradition, especially one who keeps the songs and rituals and maintains the community’s relationship with the spirits…”Yachak – One of our readers: “translated as Birdman a person who knows how to fly into the other worlds, to connect with spirits and bring messages.”

Quam – “The usual Turkish word for shaman.” A name meaning diviner. From: Animal and Shaman: Ancient Religions of Central Asia By Julian Baldick (Also mentions ongon, Turkish word for totem or indicating a special animal.)Baqshi – specialists of the Kazakhs, Bakshi among the Kirghiz and Uighur (from Malang, Sufis, and Mystics – An Ethnographic and Historical Study of Shamanism in Afghanistan by Muhammad Humayun Sidky)Táltos – Hungarian Shaman (Specific Táltos from folktales: Göncöl and Kampó)

Sahagun(Quetzalcoatls) were in charge of the major pilgrimage centers (Cholula and Tenochtitlan) as enjoying immense respect from all levels of Aztec society – akin to archbishops – and a level of authority that partly transcended national boundaries. Under these religious heads were many tiers of priests, priestesses, novices, ‘nuns’ and ‘monks’ (some part-time) who ran the cults of the various gods and goddesses. Sahagun reports that the priests had a very strict training, and had to live very austere and ethical lives involving prolonged vigils, fasts and penances. For instance, they often had to bleed themselves and undertake prescribed self-mortifications in the buildup to sacrificial rites.

Additionally, Sahagun refers to classes of religious specialists not affiliated with the established priesthood. This included wandering curers, black magicians and other occultists (of which the Aztecs identified many types, most of which they feared) and hermits.

My name is Sherry and I’m looking for traditional Native American shaman. I work with spirit guides and they are directing me to work with traditional Native American shaman. I’m looking for my Native American teacher in shamanism.

There are quite a few Native American healers who do not call themselves shamans. Some are even highly insulted by this term. I would almost say that the majority do not like this term, but I hesitate about making any blanket statements about Native American tribes, which are unique and individual. They shouldn’t be lumped together as if they are all the same.

The best way to find a Native American healer in your area, is to find out what tribes are located near you. Then you can communicate respectfully with that tribe and ask if they know of a good Medicine Person that can help you with your healing. However, learning how to become a healer from a tribe may require that you become a member of that community, which takes time and commitment. You might be able to find a Native American who is also a practitioner of shamanism, but you must take care to be respectful by first understanding the views of the tribe and the healer of that particular tribe.

I understand that you are receiving advice that this is the best way forward for you. I’m not trying to counter that advice, but rather, let you know that it is important to show care and respect, by first looking to understand the values of any tribe you contact for more information. I wish you all the best in your search.

Hi, Thanks for this article, the names Bean Feasa and Fear Feasa are the ancient spiritual healers of Ireland and do similar things to Shaman. Here is my own site for your information. http://shaman-alexduffy.net/

Greetings, I am Tahirah AbuBakr, I completed a naming initiation or in dagara language is called “Beye” the I received is MaKepeme – mother who nurush the spirit and soul of other and etc. Thanks for sharing this post with us.

You can also add: “Lukomor” or “Lukomon” for the Etruskan Shamans, that could turn themselfes to storm and lightning, to fight the enemy. Also they could read the future from flying birds. (Etruskans lived in todays territory of Italy, before the first roman empire. And before Christ.)
And add: “Wolchw(y)” russian Shamans, wise and connected to nature, gods, trees, animals and everything. Who teached the people how to live right, in peace with each other and nature.